Fat Bob’s Smokehouse is Smokin’ Good

The Fat Bob’s Smokehouse Facts

41 Virginia Place, Buffalo NY 14202   /   716.887.2971

Price: $$  /  Cuisine:  Barbecue

Hours: Mon- Wed: 11:30 AM – 10 PM; Thurs: 11:30 AM – 11 PM; Fri & Sat: Wed: 11:30 AM – 12 AM; Sun: 1PM – 10PM

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Restaurant Info

 Participating Restaurant

 

 

The Dish

Fat Bob’s Smokehouse has been tucked in on one of Buffalo’s cutest streets since the late 90’s. The rare combination of good looks, good food, good location, and a great beer list has kept this business solid for close to two decades. It is locally owned and operated with true Buffalo grit, and pretty much everything is made in house.

 

The Recommendation

Fat Bob’s has been around forever (in restaurant years) because they understand the importance of catering to their customer. They stick with the tried and true low and slow BBQ mantra with excellent results, and they understood early on that a fine beer list is not only key in Buffalo, but it goes great with BBQ. They are open for lunch, dinner, late night, take out, catering, and they even have online ordering.

 

The Menu

This is a BBQ joint so the standards are pretty much etched in stone – pulled pork, brisket, ribs etc., but they also have fried chicken, creole meatloaf, steak, and a nice selection of salads and sides. See the menu here.

As I mentioned the beer list outstanding. You can find it here – it changes regularly, but generally they have 24 on tap and plenty more in the bottle.

 

 

The Story

We stopped in for a latish lunch to a small crowd. Most of the downtown workforce was shuffling out as we arrived. Just a few doors down from Mother’s and the new Twilight Room on this one way track, parking seems like it might be a challenge here but I always seem to find a spot .

You enter into a center entrance which might have been a cozy downtown cottage at one time. Bar on your right, dining room on your left – pig straight ahead. The bar is decked out with various bar paraphernalia, and some flat screen TVs.

The dining room is perfectly suited for BBQ with hardwood floors, corrugated tin ceiling, a Memphis feel and fine blue tunes.

We ordered:

Texas Chili – cup – $3.99  

Meat forward with a deep chili infusion – real Texas style here. 

Smoked Wings with House BBQ Sauce- single – $10.99  

I am a Buffalo wing traditionalist but the smoke really does add a great element. I haven’t had these with Buffalo sauce but I’ll bet the are really good.

Smokehouse Nachos – Jalapeños, caramelized onions, tomatoes and sour cream with pulled pork, $10.99.

This is a massive plate of nachos, it could be a large meal or shared among 4-6 people as a starter. As nachos go, I’ve had better, but that doesn’t mean these don’t get the job done.

Memphis Pulled Pork – As is or served “Southern Style” (topped with coleslaw), $8.99

We went slaw on the side, but this sandwich would be satisfying either way. Love the options of sauces Bob’s offers. We tried every one –  obv.

Fried Cornmeal Catfish Sandwich – Served with tomato, lemon, and tartar sauce, $7.99.

There is just something about a catfish sandwich that never gets old, maybe a love of Huck Finn. This is true southern style and a damn fine way to get your daily intake of seafood. 😉

Mac Daddy – full entrée of Mac ‘n’ Cheese, $8.49

Fat Bob’s has plenty of good sides but the mac is our fav – full of cheesy goodness.

Blackened Salmon Filet – 8 oz. of salmon lightly seasoned and served with tartar sauce and a lemon wedge, $14.99 

You can also get this grilled but we love the blackened with seasoning. This too is a fine way to get your seafood and perhaps a bit healthier.

 

What is Healthy Options Buffalo?  

Fat Bob’s Smokehouse is a member of the Independent Health Foundation’s Healthy Options Buffalo program. The Healthy Options program was designed to help our community make informed decisions about healthy eating, and as a result, help address the high rates of stroke and heart disease prevalent in Western New York. Through this program, the Foundation works with area restaurants to offer heart-healthy food options that are considered lower in fat, saturated fat cholesterol, and sodium. To learn more about the Healthy Options program and to check out more great participating Healthy Options restaurants visit healthyoptionsbuffalo.com.